Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden charged on Thursday that Republican presidential candidate John McCain is "out of touch" on the U.S. economy, as his debate with Sarah Palin got underway.
Biden, at the start of the only debate involving the vice presidential candidates, cited McCain's statement that U.S. economic fundamentals were strong to back up his charge, reuters reported.
"It does point out he's out of touch," Biden said.
Palin, McCain's running mate, quickly defended McCain, saying McCain had been referring to the American work force when he made the comment.